Improvement in show-boxes for crackers



2Sheets-Sheet 1. E. MAGINN.

snow-sons FOR CRACKERS. bio-183,951. Patented Oct.31, 1876.

2Sheets-Sheet 2. E. MAGINN.

SHOW-BOXES FOR CRACKERS. N 183,951, Patented Oct. 31, 1876.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC.

EDWARD MAGINN, (3F ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHOW-BOXES FOR CRACKERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 183,951, dated October 31, 1876; application filed July 20, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD MAGINN, of Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Show-Boxes for Crackers, &c.; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improved construction of show-boxes, adapted both for the transportation and display of crackers, cakes, or other goods; and it consists of an improved device for securing different thicknesses of glass plates to the front opening; and, also, means for locking the lid or cover of the box, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my complete invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the cover of the box,

' showing the arrangement of the locking device. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the box and cover. Fig. 4. is a sectional view of the same, taken on line at to of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detached sectional view of the front of the box, showing manner of securing the glass in position. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the clamp for holding the glass plate.

Similar letters of reference occurring on the several figures indicate like parts.

A represents the body of the box, which may be made of sheet metal, pasteboard, or other suitable material, formed of one piece, and bent at proper angles, so that the ends may be united at one angle in a single seam, (instead of a seam at each angle of the box, as now commonly constructed,) to lend additional strength and rigidity to the sides of the box, as well as to cheapen the cost of constructing the same, by dispensing with the time and labor required in forming and soldering a seam at each angle. B represents the bottom of the box, having upturned edges on each side, and adapted to be fitted into the bottom of the body A, as shown in Fig. 3, and soldered or otherwise fastened thereto. a a represent braces, arranged upon the interior upper part of the box, which serve not only to strengthen the same, but to form a projection at that point for the bolts of the locking device to catch under, to hold the lid or cover in place when desired. The body A at one side is provided with a square or other suitable shaped opening forming a frame, 0, to the rear of which is secured the glass plate for readily exposing the contents of the box to view. To allow of the easy adjustment of different-sized thicknesses of the glass plates I provide im proved clamps E, which are right angles in shape, one angle thereof being provided with an inclined slot, b, and circular opening 0.

In the operation of the same a glass plate of any ordinary thickness is adjusted to the rear of the frame 0, and then secured in position by allowing the stud or pin (1 on the interior sides of the box to pass through the opening 0 of the clamps, which are then pushed down until they press closely against the glass, thus holding the samein proper position against the frame 0. The glass plate being situated in the rear of and protected by the frame 0 permits of any number of boxes being piled upon or against each other without danger of breaking the glass.

It may be observed that, in the usual construction of show-boxes, the lid is adapted to loosely fit upon the body of the same, and dealers consequently are considerably annoyed and suffer loss by having their customers and others remove the lids and abstract small portions of the contents, which contributes largely to destroy the profits upon their sales. To obviate this difficulty I provide the lid with a self-locking device, so constructed and arranged that it may be readily locked or unlocked by the dealer at the side or rear of the box. This device is arranged upon the under side of the lid or cover D, and consists of an S-shaped crank, F, pivoted to the center of the lid at e, and two spring-bolts, G, arranged in suitable brackets, one at each side of the lid, said bolts being connected at their rear ends to the crank F by wire or other suitable means. A rod, H, is also connected to one end of the crank F, and, passing from thence through the slot f in the side of the lid, is provided on the outside with a ring or handle, I, as fully shown in Fig. 2. The springs upon the bolts Gr serve to keep them constantly thrown outward, and the dealer can easily secure the lid in position by placing it upon the body A, and pressing down upon the same until the bolts catch under the projecting parts a. The lid can be removed by drawing the handle I outwardly, which, operating upon the crank F, draws the bolts back from under the projections a, leaving the lid free to be removed.

The advantages of my improved invention will be readily apparent from the foregoing description, inasmuch as it combines in its construction and operation a high degree of simplicity, durability, and economy, with a ready adaptation to the purpose intended.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and useful- 1. The hereinbefore-described show-box, consisting of the body A having a glass front,

and the lid D provided with the locking device consisting of the pivoted lever F and bolts G, the several parts being constructed, arranged, and combined to operate substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The lockin g device consistingof the crank F, spring-bolts Gr, rod H, and handle I, in combination with the projections a on the body of the box, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The clamps E, provided with the inclined slots b and openings 0, in combination with the studs d on the interior of the box A, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own invention I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD MAGINN.

Witnesses:

GEORGE W. WILSON, JOHN J. TORLEY. 

